Here’s our guide to new comics and graphic on sale in British comic shops today (6th May 2015), complementing our monthly list of new British graphic novels and comic collections (May 2015 list here). The headline event on the US comics side is of course the launch of Marvel’s new Secret Wars, of course – and, as yet, we don’t know how that saga will affect the company’s British superheroes like Captain Britain, but it did remind us of Marvel UK’s reprinting of the original Secret Wars, and the wonderfully daft, uncredited strip that ran in early issues titled “Marvel’s Secret Artist“.

The two-page humour strip centred on a monster lurking in Marvel UK’s offices, who would emerge at night and draw bizarre versions of the characters in Secret Wars such as Thor, Captain America and Spider-Man, before the staff could capture him. (Blogger Bob Mitchell has more information on the strip here). We think that when Panini UK gets around to reproducing the new Secret Wars in their news stand superhero comics, they should revive the tradition.

Today sees the release of Arcadia #1from Boom! Studios, written by Lancaster-based Alex Palandel, who Matt Badham recenty interviewed for downthetubes.When 99% of humankind is wiped out by a pandemic, four billion people are “saved” by being digitized at the brink of death and uploaded into Arcadia, a utopian simulation in the cloud. But when Arcadia begins to rapidly deplete the energy resources upon which the handful of survivors in the real world (aka “The Meat”) depends, how long will The Meat be able-and willing-to help? (Read our Sneak Preview of Arcadia #1 here)

Talking of Lancaster-based talent (we’re breeding comic creators up here in special vats), it’s also a busy week for Andy Diggle, who has both Thief of Thieves and the latest issue of Uncanny out today.

Don’t forget that despite many British publishers lack of faith in full-blown cover to cover comic strip action and humour, there are still comics on sale in newsagents that still delight in bringing you such subversive delights, including The Beano,Commando, Judge Dredd Megazine, Panini’s superhero titles and VIZ, with great strips also featuring in titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Doctor Who Adventures, Titan’s Doctor Who Comic (collecting their strips from the US format titles) Mega, TOXIC and many others.

The Hachette Judge DreddCollection is also on sale now, but you may now have to subscribe if you want to continue buying it as Part Works are not distributed in newsagents after their first few issues.

Plus, the wonderful Phoenix Comic is on sale in all Waitrose supermarkets as well as available on subscription and through its dedicated iPad app.

British Comic Publishers

2000AD/Rebellion

Mega-City One, 2137 AD. Home to 50 million citizens, this urban hell is situated along the east coast of post-apocalyptic North America, where crime is rampant, poverty is rife, and unemployment is at ninety per cent. Tensions run a constant knife-edge and only the zero-tolerance Judges — empowered to dispense instant justice — can stop total anarchy. Toughest of them all is JUDGE DREDD — he is the Law!

East-Meg One, 2100 AD. Four years before he will set in motion the events of Block Mania, and become a notorious enemy of Mega-City One’s Justice Department, ORLOK is a ruthless agent and assassin of the East-Meg Diktatorat. Skilled in stealth, sabotage and subterfuge, he’s a lethal weapon sent on the most dangerous missions — but can he be truly trusted? Now, he’s been charged with securing defecting artist, Jiri Rasputin….

SLÁINE: PRIMORDIAL By Pat Mills (Writer) and Simon Davis (Artist)

Albion, in a time of myth and legend. Celtic barbarian warrior SLÁINE united the tribes of the Earth Goddess Danu and became the first High King of Ireland. After ruling for seven years, he travelled through time to fight for the Goddess in other eras before returning to save his people from the Fomorian sea devils. Now having travelled to the Isle of Monadh to rescue Sinead from the Drune Lords, he’s being hunted by Trojan soldiers…

GREY AREA: ANOTHER DAY ON THE JOB By Dan Abnett (Writer) and Mark Harrison (Artist)

North America, 2045. The Global Exo Segregation Zone — aka the GREY AREA — is a huge sector in Arizona given over to housing the large number of extra-terrestrial immigrants that arrive on Earth. A massive shanty town that acts as a holding area, it’s policed by Exo Transfer Control squads, heavily armoured cops that patrol and keep the peace amongst the aliens. But right now, Bulliet and co are somewhere else entirely…

STRONTIUM DOG: THE STIX FIX By John Wagner (Writer) and Carlos Ezquerra (Artist)

Late 22nd century. After the Atomic Wars, many survivors were warped by the Strontium 90 fallout. These ‘mutants’ became a victimised underclass, forced into ghettos, and the only job open to them was bounty hunting. One such Search/Destroy agent, or STRONTIUM DOG, is Johnny Alpha, who was thought killed. Now, he’s been charged with finding the kidnapped NKD leader Jim Jing Jong…

In 2061, an international lunar treaty divided a million square miles of the moon’s surface between Mega-Cities One, Two, and Texas City. Every six months one of these cities has to supply a Judge-Marshal to govern it – enter Judge Dredd! An environment every bit as deadly as the streets of the “Big Meg,” Judge-Marshal Dredd has his work cut out for him, especially when war breaks out during the first Lunar Olympics! Written by John Wagner and featuring some beautiful artwork by Brian Bolland, Ian Gibson, and Mick McMahon, these early Dredd stories are out of this world!

Cinebook

Our two spatio-temporal agents are on a new mission, but this time the duo is split up. While Laureline flies solo from planet to planet, on the trail of arms dealers and forbidden technologies, Valerian is on 20th century Earth, teamed up with the eccentric Mr Albert. And he, too, is hunting down technologies incompatible with the era. What is the link between the two cases, separated as they are by centuries and light-years?

Knockabout Comics

Winshluss’ multi-levelled retelling of The Bible revises the founding myths of the holy book. We are guided through the maze of the Old and New Testament by St. Franky, with a nose like a strawberry from drinking altar wine and a sceptical attitude. God looks like a retired biker and is a shy and alcoholic seducer, Jesus had a punk phase, Mary is naive and lonely. From the comic book parody (God vs Superman) to the adulterous tragedy, through the story of creation and a study of the disappearance of the dinosaurs to the mystery of the resurrection, the density of the book will leave the reader no respite from the horrors suffered by an inept and inconsistent humanity and the acts of an apathetic, drunk, and jaded divine power.

Soaring Penguin

“The Bad, Bad Place” by David Hine and Mark Stafford continues in the second issue of Meanwhile, and is featured on a fabulous cover by Mark. “Strangehaven” by Gary Spencer Millidge continues with an all-new 16-page episode, and there’s a new installment of Yuko Rabbit’s “10 Minutes”, plus original strips by Krent Able, Jenny Robins, Krystian Garstkowiak. And rounding out the issue is “Dead Charlie” by Thierry Labrosse. Note: Previously offered in PREVIEWS Plus #1162.

Titan Comics

In South America, Gabriella De La Fuente is quickly losing patience with her role as dutiful wife, and unleashes the full force of the terrifying power she possesses! In Russia, Captain Armand Malachi has died, his body is no longer of any use. Among the rank and file, though, there is always a new soul to be pressed into service, a new vessel to be found. In London, the man that was Victor Thorpe feels the judgmental eyes of society on him, and decides to take action to silence them all!

DC Comics

It’s here – the sequel to the #1 New York Times bestseller and critically acclaimed BATMAN: EARTH ONE by the superstar creative team of writer Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank! While Gotham City is plunged into terror by an enigmatic anarchist and killer calling himself The Riddler, the Dark Knight must reconcile the increasingly conflicting ideologies of Detective Jim Gordon and Bruce Wayne’s head of security, Alfred Pennyworth. But there are many more mysteries lurking within Gotham City, including the secret agenda of Harvey Dent and the bizarre creature prowling the sewers – Killer Croc!

STARRING HEROES FROM THE PRE-FLASHPOINT DCU! Ray Palmer battles the Extremist Barracuda even as he struggles with what seems to be the presence of the dead Atom, Ryan Choi, while Deathstroke waits in the wings ready to kill any Atom he sees!
This extra-sized issue includes a sneak peek at what’s coming up in the DC Universe!

STARRING HEROES FROM THE PRE-FLASHPOINT DCU! Harley Quinn, Catwoman and Poison Ivy fight Captain Carrot and his Amazing Zoo Crew – to the death!
This extra-sized issue includes a sneak peek at what’s coming up in the DC Universe!

When gamer Nelson Jent accidentally discovers the mysterious H Dial, his life will never be the same! But can he keep the Dial out of the clutches of an array of villains? And what is the secret behind the Dial’s power? Collects DIAL H #0-15.

Flash Season Zero #8 Girl Who Played With Fire Trade Paperback (Mature Readers)

The west coast is at war and the day of the dragon is at hand. Old enemies are confronted and new alliances forged. It could be the end of everything or a new beginning for both human and Hinterkind. The fate of the green world rests on the shoulders of Prosper Monday, dragon rider.

In anticipation of the upcoming blockbuster film Mad Max: Fury Road, 65 of comics’ best artists took to the post-apocalyptic landscape to interpret this gorgeous and desolate world of George Miller’s design. Inspired by images from the film, each of these visionary artists brings their unique style to a double-page spread of part of the world of Mad Max, with commentary from the artists and Miller himself. From breathtaking action sequences to heartbreaking character portraits, Fury Road will be perfectly captured by a one-of-a-kind array of comics legends, side-by-side with some of the most exciting new talent in the industry!

Given the past connections between Mad Max and British artists, we’re hedging our bets by including this as having possible UK connections!

Philip’s new girlfriend Cassandra is a lot more – or less – than she seems, but what does the shapeshifting beauty and her Dark Loop comrades want with him? Mysteries, monsters and mayhem in the furious final episode of The Names, as Philip learns who and what the Dark Loops are…and the Names director Stoker tells Katya who threw her husband to his death from a skyscraper window…

It’s 1958 America, and Dr. Richard Conrad is a superhero and celebrated surgeon…with another identity that he struggles to keep hidden from his trusted teammates. When the director of the FBI threatens to reveal his secret, Richard is forced to make an impossible decision, all while his team battles to keep the world safe.

Ragnarock is finally here. The show to end all shows promises to be a lovely experience for all the gods… wait. Oh noes! Jamie and Matt have drawn Baphomet drenched in blood on the cover. What a hilarious internal communication error. I’m sure it’s a mistake and nothing to do with the story whatsoever.

Ed Brubaker’s award-winning Captain America run concludes! As Captain America’s staunch ally Bucky, James Buchanan Barnes was one of America’s greatest heroes of WWII – until he was brainwashed into becoming the Soviet spy known as the Winter Soldier. Now, in the aftermath of FEAR ITSELF, James is the Winter Soldier again! When Russian sleeper agents awaken and old enemies resurface with new identities, Winter Soldier and Black Widow clash with Dr. Doom – and James must save the Widow from her own past! But even with help from Wolverine and Hawkeye, must Bucky sacrifice everything to save his love? Meanwhile, Captain America takes on Scourge and the Discordians, while a deadly villain from the past reveals a mystery spanning generations of heroes! Collecting CAPTAIN AMERICA AND BUCKY #620-628, FEAR ITSELF #7.1: CAPTAIN AMERICA, WINTER SOLDIER #1-14 and CAPTAIN AMERICA (2011) #11-19.
Rated T+

The original Dark Lord of the Sith stars in his first ongoing series! Ever since Darth Vader made his first on-screen appearance, he became one of the most popular villains to ever haunt an audience’s dreams!

• The universe’s most powerful cabal of villainy has formed right under the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes’ noses–and they never noticed! This group of fowl (get it!) villains, is the Pets of Evil Masters!
• And they’re after world domination! Rocket must team-up with The Pet Avengers (much to his dismay) to face down the foes that no one else can (or will bother with) in this Earth-Shattering adventure that can only be told in the Mighty Marvel Manner!

What’s to Love: Our long tradition of breaking new talent-like Rafael Albuquerque (The Savage Brothers, American Vampire), Emma Rios (Hexed, Pretty Deadly), and Declan Shalvey (28 Days Later, Moon Knight)-continues with the debut of Alex Paknadel and Eric Scott Pfeiffer, two new creators whose extensive world-building in the sci-fi thriller Arcadia evokes comparisons to epics like Game of Thrones, The Matrix, and Astro City.

What It Is: When 99% of humankind is wiped out by a pandemic, four billion people are “saved” by being digitized at the brink of death and uploaded into Arcadia, a utopian simulation in the cloud. But when Arcadia begins to rapidly deplete the energy resources upon which the handful of survivors in the real world (aka “The Meat”) depends, how long will The Meat be able-and willing-to help? Featuring the first of five connecting covers by Matt Taylor.

Uber scribe, Kieron Gillen, tells a Crossed tale like no other. As the modern-day group of survivors stumble upon an amazing find, the unfolding drama of the Homo Tortor 80,000 years ago unveil their greatest form of amusement, a coliseum built to pit humans vs prehistoric beasts! Join the hunt for answers to one of history’s greatest mysteries!

Available with Regular, Wraparound, Megafauna Mayhem Covers by Fernando Heinz, Torture Cover by Raulo Caceres, Art Deco Cover by Michael DiPascale, and a special Red Crossed Incentive Cover also by Heinz.

From the mind of New York Times-bestselling author and Eisner Award-winning author Neil Gaiman, Lady Justice is the living embodiment of justice, possessing oppressed women and giving them the ability to fight their tormentors. In times of trouble, the spirit of Justice appears before women and offers them the chance to take revenge on their male abusers. This graphic novel series will collect all of the classic Lady Justice comics for the first time anywhere. Available in Softcover and Hardcover editions.

The Great Burn is unveiled in the latest shocking chapter of Kieron Gillen’s groundbreaking alternate history epic! The unbelievable aftermath of the Battleship fight between Germany’s Sieglinde and Russia’s Maria changes the very face of the war on all sides. As the world faces devastation on a global scale, the Allies encounter new horrors in the enhanced human war to end all wars. Available with Regular, Wraparound, and Blitzkrieg Covers by Daniel Gete, a War Crimes Cover by Caanan White, and a Propaganda Poster Cover by Michael DiPascale.

Hunted across South America both by the mysterious organization known as CADRE and their former employer Deacon Styles, Weaver and Maggie will have to tap into previously undiscovered powers if they’re going to survive. But can their mysterious new ally Morgan be trusted…?

Published by

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, John describes himself as is a "freelance comics operative", working as an editor, as Creative Consultant on the Dan Dare audio adventures for B7 Media, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival.
John has worked in British comics publishing for over 30 years. His credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine at Marvel UK and Star Trek Magazine and Babylon 5 Magazine at Titan Magazines. He also edited STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics, including Team M.O.B.I.L.E. and The Beatles Story. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War and “Dan Dare” for Tian Books.
He’s the writer of “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz, published on Tapastic; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood for digital comic 100% Biodegradable.
View all posts by John Freeman